Noida Schools Targeted by Hoax Bomb Threats, Sparking Security Scare
At least 20 schools in Noida were thrown into chaos on Friday morning after receiving bomb threat emails, prompting immediate evacuations of students and large-scale security operations. The threats, however, were later confirmed to be hoaxes by police authorities, bringing a tense situation under control but leaving parents and school communities on edge.
Schools Affected and Emergency Response
The schools that received the threatening emails included prominent institutions such as Fr Angel School, Army Public School, Shiv Nadar School, Shri Ram Millennium School, and Ramagya School. Upon receiving the alerts, police teams, along with bomb disposal squads, fire brigade personnel, and dog squads, were swiftly dispatched to the locations, with Shiv Nadar School being one of the first to receive attention as students began their school day.
In response to the threats, several schools took precautionary measures. Shiv Nadar School announced a one-day closure, sending school buses back and instructing parents to collect their children from designated drop-off points. Similarly, Fr Angel School communicated to parents that the preschool would remain closed for the day, with no bus services or online classes, citing the bomb threat as the reason for the shutdown.
Police Investigation and Legal Actions
According to Additional Police Commissioner (Law and Order) Rajiv Narayan Mishra, the threat emails were sent to school principals between 8 am and 8.30 am. He stated, "Teams from multiple police stations reached the schools as soon as the information was received." After thorough searches lasting over an hour, no suspicious objects were found at any of the schools, leading police to declare the threats as hoaxes.
As a safety measure, security personnel have been deployed outside the affected schools, with entry restricted to prevent any potential risks. An FIR has been registered at the Cyber police station under Sections 353, 351(3), and 351(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 66 of the Information Technology Act. Police are actively working to trace the source of the emails, highlighting the seriousness with which such incidents are being handled.
Historical Context and Community Impact
This is not the first time Noida schools have faced such threats. Similar hoax bomb threat emails were reported in December of last year, and in May 2024, multiple private schools in Noida and Greater Noida received bomb threats via email, causing evacuations and panic among parents, though no explosives were ever discovered. These recurring incidents underscore the need for robust cybersecurity measures and heightened vigilance in educational institutions.
The swift response from school authorities and police helped mitigate potential risks, but the event has raised concerns about the safety and security of students in the region. Parents and school staff are urged to remain alert and cooperate with authorities as investigations continue to prevent such hoaxes in the future.
